Disposable flip-flop with exfoliating and moisturizing functions

ABSTRACT

A disposable flip-flop, comprising an insole support, an insole, a strap having portions that are attached to the insole, a layer of exfoliating material attached to the insole so as to directly contact the plantar region of a user foot, and a predetermined amount of moisturizing agent on and in the layer of exfoliating material so as to moisturize the plantar of the user foot. In one embodiment, the moisturizing agent is a lotion. In another embodiment, the moisturizing agent is a creme. In a further embodiment, the moisturizing agent is a gel. In another embodiment, the moisturizing agent is oil.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to flip flops.

2. Description of the Related Art

Footwear using loofah is known in the art and such footwear is describedin U.S. Pat. No. 5,930,916 and Great Britain Patent Nos. 230887 and15819. Disposable footwear is also known in the art and is described inU.S. Pat. No. 6,526,676.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a disposable flipflop that provides both exfoliating and moisturizing functions.

The present invention is directed to a disposable flip-flop comprisingan insole support having an insole, a strap having portions thereofattached to the insole, a layer of exfoliating material attached to theinsole so as to directly contact the plantar region of a user foot, anda predetermined amount of moisturizing agent in and on the layer ofexfoliating material so as to moisturize the plantar of the user foot.In one embodiment, the moisturizing agent is a lotion. In anotherembodiment, the moisturizing agent is a creme. In a further embodiment,the moisturizing agent is a gel. In another embodiment, the moisturizingagent is oil.

In a related aspect, the present invention is directed to a method formaking a disposable flip-flop, comprising the steps of providing aninsole support having an insole, providing a strap having portionsadapted to be attached to the insole, attaching the portions of thestrap to the insole, attaching a layer of exfoliating material tosubstantially the entire insole, and treating the layer of exfoliatingmaterial with a moisturizing agent.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparentfrom the ensuing description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing features of the present invention will become more readilyapparent and may be understood by referring to the following detaileddescription of an illustrative embodiment of the present invention,taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a flip flop, which is part of apair of flip flops, in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the flip flop of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a lengthwise, cross-sectional view of a flip-flop inaccordance with an alternate embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 4.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown the disposable flip flop of thepresent invention. Flip flop 10 comprises insole support 14 and insole16. Flip flop 10 further comprises strap 18 that has portions 20, 22 and24 that are attached to insole 16. Insole support 14 and insole 16 arefabricated from any suitable materials including plastic, rubber, PVC,polyurethane, silicone, EVA, leather and foam. These are just examplesand other suitable materials can be used. Similarly, strap 18 isfabricated from plastic, rubber, EVA, PVC, polyurethane, silicone, andleather, or other suitable materials.

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, flip flop 10 further includes a layer ofmaterial 30 that is attached to insole 16. Layer of material 30 directlycontacts the plantar region of the user foot and provides therapeuticbenefits that include a slight massaging effect, slight exfoliation ofthe skin of the plantar region of a user foot, and increased blood flow.For purposes of brevity, layer of material 30 shall be referred toherein as “layer of exfoliating material 30”. In a preferred embodiment,layer of exfoliating material 30 is a layer of loofah. Loofah is knownin the art and is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,930,916. However, it isto be understood that layer of exfoliating material 30 can be anysuitable material that can provide the aforesaid therapeutic benefits.In an alternate embodiment, the layer of exfoliating material 30 isloofah and is formed of separate loofah fibers bonded to each other orto a backing material.

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, layer of exfoliating material 30 is of asubstantial constant thickness and is attached to insole 16 via anysuitable technique (e.g. adhesives, sewing, melting, or moldingprocess). In a preferred embodiment, layer of exfoliating material 30covers substantially the entire insole 16 except where portions 20, 22and 24 of strap 18 are attached to insole 16. Portions 20, 22 and 24 areshown in phantom in FIGS. 1 and 2. In a preferred embodiment, layer ofexfoliating material 30 has a thickness between about 1/16 inch and ¼inch. However, layer of exfoliating material 30 may have other suitablethicknesses.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, layer of exfoliating material 30 is attachedto insole 16 by any of the methods mentioned above. The peripheral edgesof layer of exfoliating material 30 are further attached to insole 16 bystrip of material 40 that extends about the peripheral region of insole16. Strip of material 40 has a first portion 42 that is attached to theperipheral region of insole 16. In one embodiment, stitching is used toattach first portion 42 to insole 16. The edge 30A of layer ofexfoliating material 30 is disposed over first portion 42. Strip ofmaterial 40 also includes a second portion 44 that is folded over on topof edge 30A. In one embodiment, stitching 46 is inserted through secondportion 44, edge 30A, first portion 42 and into the peripheral region ofinsole 16. However, other suitable methods, techniques or configurationsmay be used to attach the edge 30A of layer of exfoliating material 30to insole 16. In a preferred embodiment, strip of material 40 isfabricated from fabric. However, other suitable materials may be used.

In accordance with the invention, layer of exfoliating material 30 istreated with moisturizing agent 50 that moisturizes the plantar regionof the user foot. FIGS. 1-3 show reference number 50 indicating some ofthe moisturizing agent. However, it is to be understood thatmoisturizing agent 50 extends substantially throughout the entire layerof exfoliating material 30. Specifically, moisturizing agent 50 islocated on top of and within the layer of exfoliating material 30. Thus,in a preferred embodiment, the layer of exfoliating material 30 issaturated with the moisturizing agent 50. This can be accomplished byspraying the moisturizing agent onto layer of exfoliating material 30.In another embodiment, the moisturizing agent is brushed onto the layerof exfoliating material 30. In another embodiment, the layer ofexfoliating material 30 is first soaked in the moisturizing agent andthen attached to insole 16. The moisturizing agent can take many forms,e.g. cocoa butter, shea butter, lotions, oils, cremes, or gels. It is tobe understood that these aforesaid moisturizing agents are just examplesand that other suitable moisturizing agents may be used. In anotherembodiment, the moisturizing agent includes an exfoliating agent.

As the user walks in flip flops 10, moisturizing agent 50 contacts theplantar regions of the user's feet to heal dry or cracked skin. Themoisturizing agent 50 will most likely dry, wear out or dissipate within10-14 days. Once that occurs, the user may dispose of the flip flops 10.

In a preferred embodiment, insole support 14, insole 16 and strap 18 arefabricated from inexpensive materials to allow the flip flops to bedisposable. This is because in many instances, layer of exfoliatingmaterial 30 will be a porous material which, under certaincircumstances, is conducive to growth of bacteria. Loofah is a porousmaterial and is susceptible to bacteria growth. Therefore, if layer ofexfoliating material 30 is fabricated from loofah, then flip flops 10are preferably packaged in a vacuum sealed package to prevent the growthof bacteria in the loofah and to preserve the moisturizing agent andprevent it from drying out. When the user decides to wear the flip-flopsfor the first time, he or she breaks the vacuum sealed package and thenremoves the flip-flops therefrom.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, there is shown an alternate flip-flop of thepresent invention. FIG. 4 is a lengthwise cross-sectional view, and FIG.5 is a widthwise cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 in FIG. 4.Flip-flop 100 comprises insole support 102 and insole 104. In accordancewith this embodiment of the invention, insole 104 is configured to havea recessed or sunken region 105 that extends for the substantially theentire length and width of flip-flop 100. This recessed or sunken region105 provides sloping sides 106A, 106B, sloping toe section 108, andsloping heel section 110. Flip-flop 100 further includes layer ofexfoliating material 112 that is attached to insole 104. The peripheralportions of layer of exfoliating material 112 follow or conform to thecontours of sloping sides 106A, 106B, sloping toe section 108, andsloping heel section 110. Such a configuration facilitates contactbetween layer of exfoliating material 112 and the toes, sides and heelof a wearer's foot. In one embodiment, layer of exfoliating material 112is fabricated from loofah. The layer of exfoliating material 112 can beattached to insole 104 by of any of the methods described in theforegoing description with respect to the attachment of layer ofexfoliating material 30 to insole 16. Flip flop 100 also includes straps118 that have portions thereof attached to insole 104. Insole support102, insole 104 and straps 118 may be fabricated from plastic, rubber,EVA, PVC, polyurethane, silicone, and leather, or other suitablematerials. For purposes of simplicity and to facilitate understanding ofthis embodiment of the invention, straps 118 are not shown in FIG. 5.

In accordance with the invention, layer of exfoliating material 112 istreated with moisturizing agent 120 that moisturizes the plantar regionof the user foot in the same manner as moisturizing agent 50 describedin the foregoing description. For purposes of simplicity, moisturizingagent 120 is only shown in FIG. 5. Moisturizing agent 120 extendssubstantially throughout the entire layer of exfoliating material 112.Specifically, moisturizing agent 120 is located on top of and within thelayer of exfoliating material 112. Thus, in a preferred embodiment, thelayer of exfoliating material 112 is saturated with the moisturizingagent 120.

The principles, preferred embodiments and modes of operation of thepresent invention have been described in the foregoing specification.The invention which is intended to be protected herein should not,however, be construed as limited to the particular forms disclosed, asthese are to be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive.Variations and changes may be made by those skilled in the art withoutdeparting from the spirit of the invention. Accordingly, the foregoingdetailed description should be considered as exemplary in nature and notlimiting the scope and spirit of the invention as set forth in theattached claims.

1. A disposable flip-flop, comprising: an insole support having aninsole; a strap attached to the insole; a layer of exfoliating materialattached to the insole so as to directly contact the plantar of a userfoot; and a predetermined amount of moisturizing agent on and in thelayer of exfoliating material so as to moisturize the plantar of theuser foot.
 2. The disposable flip flop according to claim 1 wherein themoisturizing agent is a lotion.
 3. The disposable flip flop according toclaim 1 wherein the moisturizing agent is a creme.
 4. The disposableflip flop according to claim 1 wherein the moisturizing agent is a gel.5. The disposable flip flop according to claim 1 wherein themoisturizing agent is oil.
 6. The disposable flip flop according toclaim 1 wherein the insole is fabricated from a material selected fromthe group consisting of foam, plastic, rubber, EVA, PVC, polyurethaneand silicone.
 7. The disposable flip flop according to claim 1 whereinthe layer of exfoliating material covers substantially the entireinsole.
 8. The disposable flip flop according to claim 1 wherein thelayer of exfoliating material has a thickness between about 1/16 inchand ¼ inch.
 9. The disposable flip flop according to claim 1 wherein thelayer of exfoliating material is a layer of loofah.
 10. The disposableflip flop according to claim 1 wherein: the layer of exfoliatingmaterial has a peripheral portion; the insole defines a sunken portionand a sloped portion wherein the sloped portion surrounds the sunkenportion; the layer of exfoliating material is positioned within thesunken portion; and the peripheral portion of the layer of exfoliatingmaterial conforms to the sloped portion surrounding the sunken portionso as to contact the toes, sides and heel of a user foot.
 11. A methodof making a disposable flip-flop, comprising: providing an insolesupport having an insole; providing a strap having portions adapted tobe attached to the insole; attaching the portions of the strap to theinsole; attaching a layer of exfoliating material to substantially theentire top surface of the insole; and treating the layer of exfoliatingmaterial with a moisturizing agent.
 12. The method according to claim 11wherein the step of treating the layer of exfoliating material with amoisturizing agent comprises saturating the layer of exfoliatingmaterial with the moisturizing agent.
 13. The method according to claim11 wherein the step of saturating the layer of exfoliating material witha moisturizing agent comprises spraying the moisturizing agent onto thelayer of exfoliating material.
 14. The method according to claim 11wherein the step of saturating the layer of exfoliating material with amoisturizing agent comprises brushing the moisturizing agent on thelayer of exfoliating material.
 15. The method according to claim 11wherein the layer of exfoliating material is a layer of loofah.
 16. Themethod according to claim 11 further comprising the steps of packagingthe disposable flip flop in a package and vacuum sealing the package.17. A disposable flip flop made according to the method of claim 11.